Churchill's Grove residents might have seen the 63-year-old U.S. Postal Service carrier bundled up in a parka and ski pants, which were on top of heavyweight postal pants, long underwear, an insulated undershirt, a postal shirt and a hooded sweatshirt.

Hanson said when he's bundled up like that, the low temperatures don't really bother him. But he sure was hoping for a mild winter as he's scheduled to retire in February.

"It's just another day in the books," Hanson said.

Temperatures on Monday dipped to a near-record 18 degrees below zero before some afternoon sunshine warmed the Rock River Valley a few degrees. The coldest low temperature on record for Jan. 6 came in 1988 at 19 below zero.

"Normal low for early January in Rockford is 14 degrees, so we are 32 degrees below normal at the coldest time of the year," National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Friedlein said. "Monroe, Wis., is 20 below, and that is about (45) miles away, and in Plateville, Wis., it's 21 below zero. With these northwest winds continuing to usher in cold air, we could hit the record."

Monday's wind chills made the temperature feel like about 50 below zero. Freeport's temperature was listed at 17 degrees below zero by the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service said today could be slightly warmer, but the bitter cold will continue. Temperatures could range from 2 degrees for a high and minus 6 for a low with wind chills making the temperature feel like 40 degrees below zero.

Wednesday will be a little warmer with highs of 8 to 12 degrees, and the region could reach the 20s by Thursday.

Illinois State Police District 16 officials issued a caution to motorists because of the extreme cold and a reminder to pack an emergency kit.

Interim Commander John Biffany said motorists should stay inside vehicles if they break down or slide off the road because of ice.

"We are assigning all personnel to patrol the state highways, interstates and US routes to check on stranded motorists," Biffany said in a news release. "With temperatures so low, it is crucial for motorists to stay warm and out of the frigid weather."

Police encouraged motorists to pack a winter survival kit containing at least a cell phone and charger, blankets and extra clothing, a first aid kit, a flashlight, water and food in the event they become stranded for any length of time.

A transformer possibly damaged by the cold sparked and knocked out power to about 50 customers just north of Rockford, and another 30 were down in rural areas near Pecatonica on Monday morning, according to ComEd.

City workers braved the frigid weather to repair water main breaks on Monday. Rockford Public Works Director Tim Hanson said there were breaks at Dorset Drive and Singleton Road and in the 700 block of Van Wie Avenue.

Workers had already fixed a break in the 100 block of Welty Avenue from Sunday night, and part of Corbin and Tay streets are still closed after a water main break Saturday collapsed a portion of the roadway.

Hanson said water main breaks are common during the winter, and crews respond to the emergencies as fast as they can.

"They get out there, and within an hour, they're shutting off valves and fixing the breaks," Hanson said. "I've seen them go out on Christmas morning at 4 a.m. with water in the holes. These are the unsung heroes. They keep the water system rolling."

Hanson said crews fix the pipes as best they can and then bury them again. They'll repatch the roads come spring.

Area school districts were closed Monday, including Rockford, Harlem, Freeport, Belvidere, Oregon, Hononegah, Byron and Beloit, among others. Winnebago County courts and offices were closed, too.

Garbage collection in Rockford was suspended because of the extreme weather. Collection will be delayed one day this week as a result. Natural Christmas trees in Rockford can be placed curbside for disposal until Jan. 30, but residents are reminded to remove all decorations.

Cherry Valley also closed its Village Hall on Monday and delayed garbage collection for a day.

Jeff Kolkey: 815-987-1374; jkolkey@rrstar.com; @jeffkolkey

Melissa Westphal: 815-987-1341; mwestphal@rrstar.com; @mwestphal

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